Harlem is heading straight for the record books with plans for becoming home to the largest free public WiFi network in the United States. When the new network is completed next year, it will cover a total of city 95 blocks and people in the area will have free access to the Internet.
The WiFi network will have an extensive coverage starting from the 110th street up to the 138th street. The network will be deployed in three stages. First, the required hardware components will be installed to cover 110th to 120th. This part of the plan is already in full swing and will be completed before the year ends. The second stage will cover 121st to 126th and will be completed by February 2014. The final stage will cover 127th to 138th and will be completed by May 2014, which will also complete the entire project.
According to New York City's outgoing mayor, Michael R. Bloomberg, "Our Harlem wireless network brings critical connectivity to residents and visitors, giving them 24/7 access to everything from education materials for kids, to information about Harlem's rich history and attractions, to everyday needs like paying bills, checking library hours - or even just keeping tabs on the Knicks and Nets"
The city's deputy mayor Cas Holloway who was also present during the announcement gave credit to the city's Technology Development Corporation and Department of Information, Telecommunications and Technology for making the new network possible. Holloway says, "This unprecedented free network is possible thanks to private generosity and public know-how. With the management skills of the Technology Development Corporation and the IT infrastructure expertise of our Department of Information, Telecommunications and Technology, New Yorkers will have access to the largest free network in the nation in record time."
Aside from the huge area the network will cover in terms of sheer size, the network will also serve a whopping 80,000 Harlem residents. Given that many Harlem residents live in public housing, many of these low-income residents will stand to benefit from the opportunities that the free WiFi network will bring. In fact, the area was chosen because Glenn Fuhrman, one of the projects biggest financial backers, wanted to continue his philanthropy in the area. Fuhrman has already worked closely with the Harlem Children's Zone in his earlier philanthropy projects.
